Customisable Jewellery Articles

ABSTRACT

An ornamental component for a bracelet and/or necklace includes a housing with a channel passing therethrough for supporting an elongate member. A single slot is within the housing for the elongate member to gain access to and from the channel. The slot may be substantially parallel to the axis of the channel and pass through a wall of the housing to the channel. The channel and the slot provide a cut-out that creates a substantially C-shaped housing. The slot is configured to resist but allow the passing of the elongate member into the channel.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 16/335,544, filedMar. 21, 2019, which is the U.S. National Stage entry of InternationalApplication PCT/IB2017/055686, filed Sep. 20, 2017, which claims thebenefit of priority of GB Application No. 1616113.5, filed Sep. 22,2016. These prior applications are incorporated herein by reference intheir entirety.

FIELD

This invention pertains generally to the field of customizable jewelryarticles, and in particular jewelry articles such as bracelets andnecklaces that incorporate interchangeable ornamental components.

BACKGROUND

There is a growing trend in customizing jewelry articles, and being ableto display on a bracelet or necklace, ornamental components that awearer has selected. These ornamental components, often described ascharms, allow for a wearer to interchange them to suit their attire, aparticular mood, or to signify important events in their life. Theyallow the ornamental components to be bought separately and added on,bought by self-selection, given as gifts and to allow the user fullcontrol over what they wish to display at any one time. The most commontype of jewelry article that incorporates such freedom of customizationis known as a charm bracelet.

However, whilst there are a number of charm bracelets already on themarket, these typically require that the clasp be removed or altered insome way to allow each ornamental component to be added to the braceletor string. To rearrange the order of an array of ornamental components,typically a number of them would have to be removed, such as by 5unscrewing each one from the bracelet, and then re-strung. This addssome weakness to the clasp or fastener, in that it needs to either besmall enough to pass through the stringing hole of the ornamentalcomponent, or it needs to have a means of removal from the string forstringing purposes. One method of achieving 10 this is to allow thefastening means at the ends to be disconnected, thus allowing theornamental component to pass.

Typically, these bracelets require that one of the end components of thefastener be unscrewed from the end of the string to thread on anornamental component, then be re-screwed to the end of the string forrefastening to the other end of the string to make a loop. With highvalue items on the string, both in terms of their monetary value andtheir emotional worth, the wearer must ensure that the clasp is fullfastened.

This system means that a wearer would be less likely to rearrange theircharms as they saw fit, or they would make sure that they were in aplace that they could fully remove the bracelet in order to add on anynew ornamental components. This also means that if the ornamentalcomponent is to be placed in the middle of a bracelet, for an example,then all of those ornamental components already mounted to the braceletwould need to be removed. Therefore, whilst these existing bracelets doallow for some customization, the ease of performing the customizationprocess is likely to deter a wearer from doing so all that often.

Typically, the clasps of existing bracelets and necklaces can prove tobe somewhat fiddly. They require a certain level of finger dexterity torelease a female end connector from the corresponding male endcomponent. Particularly when the wearer is applying or removing thearticle on themselves. Such clasps and safety mechanisms are oftenintricate and awkward to operate. This is particularly true when tryingto fasten bracelets, watch straps or the like, since fastening sucharticles needs to be carried out with only one hand.

Furthermore, the auxiliary fastening means are vulnerable and may beeasily damaged during use. Their location on the sides of the fasteningmeans can also detract from the overall design continuity of the jewelrypiece.

There are a number of customizable bracelets and necklaces on the marketwith interchangeable ornamental components, or charms. Whilst thesecustomizable bracelets and necklaces do go some way towards allowing forease of interchangeability of charms, they do not appear to make theprocess of adding or rearranging ornamental components on the stringsafe and convenient.

The prior art shows a number of devices which attempt to address theneeds in various ways.

U.S. Pat. No. 2,005,188 512 (Ninomiya) discloses a clasp for an articleof jewelry with convenient release means on an exterior 30 surface ofthe clasp, whereby the releaser projects from the body. The clasprequires that the releaser be pulled to release the pin from the body.Whilst going some way to improving the fiddliness of existing jewelryclasps, and providing a more convenient arrangement of releasing theclasp, one end of the clasp comprises a pin that must be located withinthe body, requiring dexterity of the user.

DE 102 014 002 448 (Thomas Sabo GmbH) discloses a closure for a piece ofjewelry, that provides a convenient means of releasing the closure forremoving the article of jewelry, by providing an actuator lockingmechanism and spring loaded release button on the exterior surface ofthe closure. Whilst going some way towards improving upon the dexterityrequirement for using the closure, and providing a reliable retention ofthe closure with a simple operation, the closure requires a shutter lockfunction to prevent accidental opening.

EP 2 682 016 (Pandora AS) discloses an ornamental component withgripping element. The ornamental component incorporates a through holethat allows the ornamental component to be strung on an elongated memberof a bracelet or necklace. The through hole incorporates an insertassembly that comprises a tubular element and a gripping element to gripthe elongate member. Whilst this disclosure proposes a means of placingand separating ornamental components on an elongate member of an articleof jewelry, to add or remove ornamental components, or change theirposition in relation to another, the ornamental components must beunthreaded from the elongate member, and therefore the article ofjewelry, and in some circumstances even the clasp, in order to do so.This does not provide a convenient means of interchanging, adding orreplacing ornamental components, without the need to remove the articleof jewelry. To rearrange the order of the ornamental components, all ofthose that are placed in line prior to the desired location, must beremoved.

BRIEF SUMMARY

Preferred embodiments of the present invention aim to provide acustomizable bracelet or necklace jewelry article, with interchangeableornamental components, that allows for the rearrangement of existingornamental components, addition of new ornamental components, withoutthe need to unfasten the clasp of the bracelet or necklace. The presentinvention aims to provide a convenient clasp means that requires minimaldexterity to operate and is also an aesthetic feature in itself. It isan object of the present invention to provide an improved fasteningmeans for securing together free ends of adjacent elements or adjacentends of a single looped element, the fastening means having an integralauxiliary fastening means.

According to the present invention, there is provided a clasp for anarticle of jewelry that comprises an elongate member, the claspcomprising: a female end component for securing to a first end of theelongate member, the female end component incorporating a firstpush-button fastening means; and, a male end component for securing to asecond end of the elongate member and configured to be releasablysecured within the female end component, the male end componentincorporating a second push-button fastening means that is configured tobe operated by an engaging portion of the first push-button fasteningmeans, whereby, in use, the engaging portion of the first push-buttonfastening means is movable between a locked position in whichdisengagement of said male end component from said female end componentis prevented and an unlocked position in which disengagement of saidmale end component from said female end component is allowed.

Preferably, the first push-button fastening means may incorporate atleast one biasing means, the at least one biasing means being configuredto urge the engaging portion away from the second push button fasteningmeans in the locked position.

Preferably, the second push-button fastening means may incorporate atleast one biasing means, the at least one biasing means being configuredto urge a surface portion of the second push-button fastening means intoengagement with the engaging portion of the first push-button fasteningmeans in the locked position.

Preferably, the at least one biasing means may comprise a spring.

The axes of the first push-button fastening means and the secondpush-button fastening means may be substantially perpendicular to thelongitudinal axes of the female end component and the male end componentrespectively.

A push-button surface of the first push-button fastening means may besubstantially flush with an exterior surface of the 30 female endcomponent when in a locked position.

The surface portion of the second push-button fastening means mayprotrude from an exterior surface of the male end component when in alocked position.

Preferably, the surface portion of the second push-button fasteningmeans may be configured to prevent disengagement of the male endcomponent from the female end component when in a locked position.

The surface portion may abut an interior surface of the female endcomponent.

The engaging portion may be configured to disengage the surface portionfrom a locked position to an unlocked position, whereby the surfaceportion is substantially flushed with an exterior surface of the maleend component.

The male end component and/or the female end component may comprise aresilient material.

The resilient material may be an elastomer. The elastomer may be highdensity polyurethane.

Preferably, the female end component comprises at least 25 onelongitudinal slot, whereby, in use, the male end component is configuredto mate within said at least one slot.

An article of jewelry having first and second opposable ends to bereleasably joined together, the article of jewelry 30 incorporating theclasp as hereinbefore described.

According to the present invention there is provided an ornamentalcomponent for an article of jewelry that comprises an elongate member,said ornamental component comprising: a housing; a channel passingthrough said housing for supporting the elongate member; and, a slotwithin the housing, said slot being configured to be substantiallyparallel to the channel and passing right through a wall of said housingto the channel, whereby, in use, said slot is configured to resist butallow the passing of the elongate member into the channel.

Preferably, the channel may incorporate a resilient lining.

Preferably, the slot may incorporate the resilient lining.

The resilient lining may incorporate at least one protrusion, whereby,in use, said at least one protrusion may prevent movement of theelongate member passing through the channel.

The protrusion may comprise a ridge formation.

The housing may comprise at least one recess within an exterior surface,said at least one recess being configured to support an ornamentalelement.

The resilient lining may incorporate at least one housing engagingprojection on an exterior surface, and the housing may incorporate atleast one corresponding recess within which the housing engagingprojection can be secured.

The ornamental component may comprise a pair of collars, whereby eachcollar may be configured to be mounted to an exterior surface of thehousing at either end of the channel.

The pair of collars may be configured to interconnect with one anotherwithin the channel.

The resilient lining may comprise a gripping element for frictionallygripping the elongate member.

The ornamental element may comprise one or more of the followingmaterials: precious stone, marble, precious metal, granite.

The housing may comprise one or more of the following materials: metal,polymer, elastomer.

The resilient lining may comprise an elastomer.

An article of jewelry having first and second opposable ends to bereleasably joined together, the article of jewelry incorporating atleast one ornamental component as hereinbefore described.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the invention and to show how embodimentsof the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, byway of example, to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows an isometric view of one embodiment of jewelry article,showing an elongate member joined by a clasp, with the clasp in a closedand locked position, and a plurality of ornamental components mounted tothe elongate member;

FIG. 2 shows the jewelry article of FIG. 1 in plan view;

FIG. 3 shows the jewelry article of FIG. 1 in end view;

FIG. 4 shows one embodiment of female end component in exploded view;

FIG. 5 shows one embodiment of male end component in exploded view;

FIG. 6 shows a section view of the female end 15 component of FIG. 4when in an engaged and locked position with the male end component ofFIG. 5;

FIG. 7A is a first view of one embodiment of an ornamental component;

FIG. 7B is a second view thereof;

FIG. 7C is a third view thereof;

FIG. 7D is a fourth view thereof; and

FIG. 8 shows the ornamental component of FIGS. 7A to 7D in explodedview.

In the figures like references denote like or corresponding parts.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

As shown in FIG. 1, an article of jewelry 1 incorporates an elongatemember 2 or strand, a clasp 4 for securing a first end 7 to a second end8 of the elongate member 2. This article of jewelry 1 may comprise anecklace, bracelet, anklet or similar item that comprises an elongatemember 2 and a means of securing the first end 7 of the elongate member2 to the second end 8 of the elongate member 2. The article of jewelry 1may also comprise a ring, brooch, hair accessory or clip, belt, wearableelectronics device or wristwatch. In some instances, the elongate member2 may comprise a very short length, providing that the first end 7 canreach and therefore be releasably secured to the second end 8. Theelongate member 2 may also display one or more ornamental components 3in the form of charms, gemstones or similar items that can be releasablysecured or mounted to the elongate member 2. The elongate member 2 maycomprise, but is not limited to, a metal material such as gold, silveror platinum, or may alternatively comprise another material such as awoven textile, rope, leather, polymer, elastomer or suitable materialfor such an article of jewelry 1.

The clasp 4 is in itself intended to be of aesthetic value, whilst alsoproviding a secure means of releasably securing a first end 7 of theelongate member 2 to a second end 8 of the elongate member 2. The clasp4 has been configured to reduce the number of steps required to fastenthe first end 7 to the second end 8, and to remove the first end 7 fromthe second end 8. The clasp 4 has been configured to allow the fasteningand unfastening of the jewelry article 1 to be possible with minimalhand support from the user. In a number of circumstances this may beachieved using just one hand. The clasp 4 comprises a female endcomponent 5 and a male end component 6 that is configured to be at leastin part housed within the female end component 5. The female endcomponent 5 and the male end component 6 are intended to be permanentlysecured to the first end 7 and second end 8 of the elongate member 2.The female end component 5 may comprise at least one slot 19 or cut-outthrough which the male end component 6 can be viewed. The male endcomponent 6 may be configured to mate with and fit within the slot 19such that the exterior surface of the female end component 5 and theexterior surface of the male end component 6 are flush when in anengaged or locked position.

The female end component 5 and the male end component 6 may be welded,soldered, glued or fixedly secured by another similar means to the firstend 7 and the second end 8 of the elongate member 2 of the jewelryarticle 1. Additional elements such as one or more washers 13 may berequired to support this joint. The clasp 4 in a locked condition maycomprise in plan view a rectangular or oblong shape, circular shape, ortriangular shape. The female end component 5 may comprise asubstantially spherical housing, or alternatively a substantially cubichousing, neither of which are shown in the figures.

FIGS. 2 and 3 show further views of one embodiment of 30 jewelry article1 shown as a bracelet. FIG. 2 shows a plan view, and shows the slot 19in the female end component 5 through which the male end component 6 canbe seen. The clasp 4 is provided with a first push-button fasteningmeans 9, whereby the exterior surface or push-button surface of thefirst push-button fastening means 9 may be mounted such that in adepressed or neutral condition, the push-button surface is flush withthe exterior surface of the female end component 5. It is important thatthe first push-button fastening means is readily accessible to a wearerof the jewelry article 1 such that when the item is being worn, a usercan easily and conveniently depress the first push-button fasteningmeans 9 to release the fastening means, detach the female end component5 from the male end component 6, and therefore detach the first end 7from the second end 8 to remove the jewelry article 1.

FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 show three of the same embodiment of ornamentalcomponent 3 or charm that are releasably secured or mounted to theelongate member 2 at a desired location throughout the length of theelongate member 2. The ornamental components 3 are configured such thatthey can be placed onto the elongate member 2 and removed from theelongate member 2 independently of each other, and without a requirementto open the clasp 4 or remove the jewelry article 1. This means that thearrangement of ornamental components 3 can be reordered and rearrangedalong the elongate member 2 with ease, without the need to open and/orremove the clasp 4 and without the need to take off or remove any of theother ornamental components 3 unless desired.

FIG. 4 shows one embodiment of female end component 5 of the clasp 4 inexploded view. The female end component 5 is show incorporating a washer13 or ring and push-fit fastening means to the first end 7 of theelongate member 2. The first end 7 is provided with a pin for securingto the female end component 5. The first push button fastening means 9comprises at least one engaging portion 10 for engaging with acorresponding fastening means of the male end component 6, not shown inthis figure. These engaging portions 10 may form part of the sameelement as the push-button surface of the first push button fasteningmeans 9, or may comprise a separate element secured to or operativelyconnected to the push-button surface of the first push-button fasteningmeans 9. The first push-button fastening means 9 may comprise one ormore biasing means 11 configured to return the first push-buttonfastening means 9 to its original position once the push-button has beenreleased.

The biasing means 11 may comprise one or more springs, and wherenecessary, the first push-button fastening means 9 may be provided withadditional plates 12 or planar portions to support these springs.Alternatively, or in addition to these plates 12, the housing of thefemale end component 5 may incorporate internal means to support thefirst push-button fastening means 9 and the at least one biasing means11.

FIG. 4 shows one embodiment of female end component 5 in exploded view,with one longitudinal slot 19 that provides a cutaway alongsubstantially the length of the female end 30 component 5, and providesa slot 19 in the wall of the female end component 5 to reveal the cavityof the female end component 5 into which the male end component 6 can bereleasably secured. An end view of the female end component 5 in such anarrangement would comprise a C-shape. The longitudinal slot 19 may helpwith locating the male end component 6 within the female end component5, and may help a user to be sure that the male end component 6 is inthe correct position. More than one longitudinal slots 19 may beprovided within the walls of the female end component 5. Alternatively,the slot may not pass right through to the opening of the female endcomponent 5, not shown.

FIG. 5 shows one embodiment of male end component 6 in exploded viewshowing one embodiment of second push-button fastening means 14configured to be mounted such that a surface portion 15 of the secondpush-button fastening means 14 is provided on an exterior surface of themale end component 17. The surface portion 15 is configured to beengaged with the engaging portions 19 of the first push-button fasteningmeans 9.

The second end 8 of the elongate member 2 is again provided with meansfor substantially permanently affixing to the male end component 6. Thesecond push-button fastening means 14 comprises at least one biasingmeans 11, and may also comprise one or more plates 12 for supporting thebiasing means 11. The biasing means 11 may comprise a spring as shown.The biasing means 11 returns the surface portion 15 of the secondpush-button fastening means 14 to a neutral or raised position when theengaging portion 10 of the first push-button fastening means 9 of thefemale end component 5 is no longer acting on it.

In use, and to join the female end component 5 to the 5 male endcomponent 6, the male end component 6 can be pushed into the end of thefemale end component 5. The surface portion 15 is raised from theexterior surface of the male end component 17, but configured to bedepressed to be flush with the exterior surface of the male endcomponent 17 by the 10 interior surface of the female end component 18upon entry to the female end component 5. By urging the male endcomponent 6 into the female end component 5, the second pushbuttonfastening means 14 is pressed to allow the male end component 6 to slideinto position within the female end component 6. Once in the engaged orlocked position, the biasing means 11 of the second push-buttonfastening means 14, urges the surface portion 15 of the secondpush-button fastening means back into a raised position. The surfaceportion 15 of the second push-button fastening means 14 when in a raisedposition, prevents movement of the male end component 6 in relation tothe female end component 5. The surface portion 15 in a raised positionabuts against the interior surface of the female end component 18 toprevent movement in a longitudinal direction.

FIG. 6 shows a section view of the clasp 4 when the male end component 6is connected to the female end component 5. This view shows the surfaceportion 15 raised from the exterior surface of the male end component 17such that is caught by the interior surface of the female end component18 and thus preventing from moving in a longitudinal direction.

To release the clasp 4, and disconnect the male end component 6 from thefemale end component 5, the user presses the push button surface of thefirst push-button fastening means 9. Depressing the first push-buttonfastening means 9 causes the engaging portion(s) 10 to act on thesurface portion 15 or push button surface of the second push buttonfastening means 14. The surface portion 15 is moved to a disengagedposition, where the surface portion 15 is substantially flush with theexterior surface of the male end component 17, and is no longer caughtby the interior surface of the female end component 18. Once the surfaceportion 15 is no longer in a raised condition, the male end component 6can be slid out of the female end component 5. The longitudinal slot 19may provide means to support the user with sliding the male endcomponent 6 free from the female end component 5.

The interior surface of the female end component 18 prevents the surfaceportion 15 of the second push-button fastening means 14 from returningto a raised position due to the biasing means 11, until the surfaceportion 15 is outside the female end component 5. Once free from thefemale end component 5 the biasing means 11 urges the surface portion 15back into a raised position.

The clasp 4 can therefore be opened and closed, or locked and unlocked,by the wearer without the need for another 30 person's help. The clasp 4also provides a secure means of securing the article of jewelry 1 to thewearer. The clasp 4 provides an aesthetic feature in its own right. Theclasp 4 does not involve fastening means that is intricate and fiddly.The moving parts of the clasp 4 are substantially contained within thefemale end component 5 and the male end component 6 such that thesemoving parts are protected from dirt and detritus.

FIGS. 7a to 7d show one embodiment of ornamental component 3. In itsbasic form, the ornamental component 3 comprises a C-shaped housing 20,or housing 20 provided with a channel 21 that passes from one end of thehousing 20 to another, and a slot 22 that passes through to said channel21. The channel 21 and slot 22 provide the cut-out that creates theC-shape of the housing 20. The slot 22 is configured to be dimensionallyas wide as the elongate member 2 to which it is to be releasablymounted, such that with a little force the ornamental component 3 can bemounted onto the elongate member 2 through the slot 22. The slot 22allows the ornamental component 3 to pass therethrough albeit with someresistance, such that once the elongate member 2 reaches the channel 21it cannot unintentionally pass back through the slot 22. The channel 21is configured to be dimensionally of greater diameter than the elongatemember 2 such that the ornamental component 3 can pass along theelongate member 2 of the article of jewelry 1.

The channel 21 of the housing 20 of the ornamental component 3 may beprovided with a resilient lining 23, whereby the resilient lining 23provides a gripping means to the elongate 30 member 2. The resilientlining may be configured to prevent unintentional movement of theornamental components 3 along the elongate member 2, whilst allowingintentional movement along the elongate member 2, such as when thewearer wishes to rearrange their ornamental components 3 by sliding themalong the elongate member 2. The resilient lining 23 may also cover thelength of the slot 22, helping to create the resistance to the passageof the elongate member 2. The resilient lining 23 of the channel 21 maybe a separate element to the resilient lining 23 of the slot, not shown.

The resilient lining 23 may incorporate one or more protrusions 29, toprovide additional stopping means or gripping means to support theornamental component 3 in position along the elongate member 2. Thisprotrusion 29 may comprise a single elongate ridge that runs along thelength of the channel 21. Alternatively, the protrusion 29 may comprisea raised dot.

The housing 20 of the ornamental component 3 may be formed from anaesthetic material and therefore provide aesthetic value. The materialmay comprise, but not be limited to, any one or more of the following:gemstones, precious stones, precious metals, marble, granite.Alternatively, the housing 20 may incorporate one or more ornamentalelements 24 not shown, such as individual gems. These ornamentalelements 24 may be sat within a recess in the housing 20 or may bemounted to the surface of the housing 20, not shown.

The ornamental component 3 may incorporate a pair of collars 28 thatsurround the opening at either end of the channel 30 21. The collars 28may support the resilient lining 23 in position. The collars 28 may fitwithin a recess at each end of the housing 20, and may incorporate meansto connect with each other in the middle of the channel 21.

The resilient lining 23 may incorporate a housing engaging projection 25within the lining exterior surface 26 that fits inside a correspondingrecess within the housing 20, to provide a means of supporting theresilient lining 23 in position. The resilient lining 23 may beadhesively bonded to the interior surface of the housing 20.

That which is claimed is:
 1. An ornamental component for a braceletand/or necklace that comprises an elongate member, said ornamentalcomponent comprising: a housing; a channel passing through the housingfor supporting the elongate member, the channel having an axis; and asingle slot within the housing for the elongate member to gain access toand from the channel, the slot being configured to be substantiallyparallel to the axis of the channel and passing right through a wall ofthe housing to the channel; wherein the channel and the slot provide acut-out that creates a substantially C-shaped housing, wherein the slotis configured to resist but allow the passing of the elongate memberinto the channel.
 2. An ornamental component according to claim 1,wherein the channel includes a resilient lining.
 3. An ornamentalcomponent according to claim 2, wherein the resilient lining includes atleast one protrusion, wherein the at least one protrusion preventsmovement of the elongate member passing through the channel.
 4. Anornamental component according to claim 1, wherein the slot includes aresilient lining.
 5. An ornamental component according to claim 4,wherein the resilient lining includes at least one protrusion, whereinthe at least one protrusion prevents movement of the elongate memberpassing through the channel.
 6. An ornamental component according toclaim 5, wherein the protrusion comprises a ridge formation.
 7. Anornamental component according to claim 4, wherein the resilient liningcomprises an elastomer.
 8. An ornamental component according to claim 4,wherein the resilient lining includes at least one housing engagingprojection on an exterior surface, and the housing incorporates at leastone corresponding recess within which the housing engaging projectioncan be secured.
 9. An ornamental component according to claim 1, whereinthe housing comprises at least one recess within an exterior surfacethereof, the at least one recess being configured to support anornamental element.
 10. An ornamental component according to claim 9,wherein the ornamental element comprises one or more materials selectedfrom the group precious stone, marble, precious metal, and granite. 11.An ornamental component according to claim 11, further comprising a pairof collars, wherein each collar is configured to be mounted to anexterior surface of the housing at either end of the channel.
 12. Anornamental component according to claim 1, wherein the pair of collarsare configured to interconnect with one another within the channel. 13.An ornamental component according to claim 1, wherein the housingcomprises a material selected from the group metal, polymer, andelastomer.
 14. An ornamental component according to claim 1 on abracelet and/or necklace.
 15. An article of jewelry that comprises anelongate member having first and second opposable ends to be releasablyjoined together, the article of jewelry incorporating at least oneornamental component according to claim 1 and further incorporating aclasp, the clasp comprising: a female end component for securing to afirst end of the elongate member, the female end component incorporatinga single first push-button fastening means; and a male end component forsecuring to a second end of the elongate member and configured to bereleasably secured within the female end component, the male endcomponent incorporating a single second push-button fastening means thatis configured to be operated by an engaging portion of the firstpush-button fastening means, wherein: the first push-button fasteningmeans and second push-button fastening means form a single push-buttonfastening means within the clasp in such a way that the engaging portionof the first push-button fastening means is movable between a lockedposition in which disengagement of said male end component from saidfemale end component is prevented and an unlocked position in whichdisengagement of said male end component from said female end componentis allowed; and depressing the single push-button fastening meansdetaches the male end component from the female end component.